Twitter Reactions: Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Qadir save the day for Pakistan in series opener against Zimbabwe

Mohammad Hasnain was also impressive as he picked up two wickets at an economy rate of 6.75.

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury

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Pakistan Cricket Team
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Pakistan Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan found themselves in trouble in various stages of their opening T20I against Zimbabwe on Wednesday at the Harare Sports Club. However, Babar Azam and Co delivered the body blows at the apt time and came out trumps by 11 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Zimbabwe had their moments to capitalise, but they couldn’t make hay and eventually ended on the losing side.

Rizwan shepherds Pakistan through

After electing to field first, the hosts made a decent start as Blessing Muzarabani got rid of Babar Azam, who got out in single digits. Fakhar Zaman hit two fours, but he got out to Wesley Madhevere for 13 and couldn’t go above a run-a-ball. In his very next over, Madhevere pinned Mohammad Hafeez.

However, Mohammad Rizwan and Danish Aziz steadied the ship with a 44-run stand. Luke Jongwe separated the duo, getting rid of Aziz. In the meantime, Rizwan got to his fifty off 48 balls. None of Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz could go into double digits.

But Rizwan made 82 off 61 with 10 fours and one six. He pressed the accelerator and took Pakistan to 149. For the home team, Madhevere and Jongwe shared two wickets each. Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava got one wicket each.

Qadir takes charge

Madhevere started Zimbabwe’s run-chase with three fours, but Mohammad Hasnain dismissed him to end his stay in the middle. In his very next ball, Hasnain pinned Tadiwanashe Marumani for a golden duck. But opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Craig Ervine restored sanity with a 56-run stand off 42 balls.

Hafeez got rid of Kamunhukamwe, who made a 35-ball 29, to separate the duo. To Zimbabwe’s agony, they lost Ervine to Usman Qadir in the 12th over. Ervine looked ominous, having scored 34 off 23 with three fours and one six.

Ryan Burl hit a six and his knock was brought to an end by Haris Rauf. Sean Williams and Regis Chakabva fell prey to Qadir. Jongwe threw his bat around for a 23-ball 30 with three fours and a six, but his efforts were never going to be enough for the hosts to get over the line.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Pakistan’s win:

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